general problems of the 2004 Toyota Tacoma - part 1

I was turning into a gas station and all the sudden the vehicle came to a complete stop I was unable to move the vehicle and sat there until the tow truck was able to show up. Looked under the vehicle and on the passenger side front suspension the lower ball joint was no longer where it belongs.

The vehicle has an open recall (NHTSA recall #12v542) for the spare tire carrier lift plate. I brought the vehicle to a Toyota dealership to have the recall addressed, but the dealership refused to perform the repair, stating that the frame is too rusted to proceed safely. They recommended a full frame replacement due to severe rust damage, which includes holes and significant structural weakening. Toyota has refused to provide a replacement frame under any existing recall or warranty program. This means the recall cannot be completed, and the vehicle remains unsafe to drive. Additionally, I cannot locate a replacement frame for this vehicle through Toyota or the aftermarket, leaving no practical solution to address the safety risks. The refusal to honor the recall and the lack of available replacement parts put me and others at significant risk. The problem has been confirmed by the Toyota dealership during inspection, and the rust damage makes the vehicle structurally unsound. The unresolved recall, combined with the excessive frame rust, has created a double safety hazard that needs urgent resolution.

2011- check engine light was illuminated. Toyota dealership attempted repairs 11 times but could not find a cause. They replaced 7 different sensors, replaced gas cap, charcoal filter. . Still could not get light to go off. Refused to continue servicing same issue with no fault. Since 2011, I have had to run diagnostics on a regular basis to ensure there are no other mechanical issues. 2022- gas tank fell off of truck while driving. The straps snapped off due to rust and tank fell to the ground. This issue could have caused great bodily injury or death. 2023-lost brakes while driving. Total brake failure. Local mechanic stated it was a proportioning valve failure. The housing for it was rusted through and cannot be removed safely. After multiple days of research, a replacement could not be located. Even contacting Toyota, part is unavailable so vehicle cannot be fixed. Total brake failure could have led to great bodily injury or death. Ongoing-- vehicle frame is extremely rusted. Bumper has fallen off, spare tire fell off, brush guard rusted and fell off. The frame under cab near bed of truck is rusted through. Gas tank straps rusted through and tank fell off. You can literally push fingers/hand through the flaking metal. All previous recalls were completed including undercoating but the rust has gotten so bad the vehicle is not safe to drive.

Lower ball joint detached, nearly caused major problems for me on the road.

I was driving home from a neighboring city after picking up a friend and on my way there on the interstate I noticed the back end of the vehicle was very loose. Upon arriving at my apartment and parking the vehicle I contacted a friend who was a prior state safety inspector, he looked under the vehicle and said the frame right where the shackle for the leaf spring on the driver's side had completely blown out and was no longer connected. Checked the passenger side and said it was connected by maybe 1/4 of an inch of frame. I was made aware of a safety recall that expired back in 2019 by hailey Toyota and was informed they would not fix it for free. Neither myself or the original owner had every received documentation regarding this issue and was never informed that the entire frame had to be replaced under the recall/extended warranty. I have shelled out well over $600 in materials and labor to have my frame welded and patched with a kit specifically made for these vehicles and this issue and I'm still having problems out of it.

Excessive corrison through out the frame. Was informed bu certified mechanic really it is unsafe to drive. What can I do I still owe money on this vehicle.

This vehicles frame has rusted and broken. I feel lucky to have made it home just as the frame cracked wide open on one side making the truck un-drivable. Had this happened on the freeway or somewhere out in a rural setting I may have been killed, caused a problem for other drivers or been stranded away from any help. I have sent a photo of the damage to a frame shop but an independent inspection is not, in my opinion, needed since the rusted, broken member is clearly visible to any lay person. There were no warning lights or anything associated with this problem. What I did feel was some serious shaking and bumping as I moved down the road toward my house.

The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated while driving 70 mph and making a right turn, the front passenger’s side tire and wheel inadvertently detached from the vehicle. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road, where he noticed that the lower control arm had detached from the subframe and was resting on the floor. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under the NHTSA campaign number: 05v225000 (suspension) because the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 250,000.

Tl- the contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated while driving 45 mph, when the vehicle began to shift to the right. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated he noticed the rear subframe were rusted. The contact called local dealer riley Toyota located at 2105 christy dr, jefferson city, mo 65101(573) 893-3100 and was made aware of the failure. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired as of yet. The manufacturer had not been informed of failure. The failure mileage was approximately 175,124. Dp.

When changing the oil in the vehicle for the first time, it was up on a lift and it was obvious that the truck frame was rusting through. The bad part is when the vehicle was purchased last year Toyota charged us a $200 for checking the vehicle out, but even though there are tons of complaints didn't bother to tell us that the frame was rusted. I haven't reported it to them yet I wonder if they will stand behind their inspection. So much for getting a vehicle checked out before you buy.

Tl-the contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tacoma. The contact staed that the spring hangers were rusting off the frame of the vehicle. The frame itself was rusted through in several areas. The manufacture came out with a TSB and an extendeded warranty that recently expired in 09/19. The prevouis owner had taken the vehicle to the dealer koons tysons Toyota 8610 leesburg pike, vienna, va 22182 (703) 790-5920 twice in 2013 and 2016 to fix this issue by applying a rust inhibitor. The dealer did not habe any service records to prove that the issue was fixed. The manufacturer stated that the warranty expired and there was nothing they could do. The failure mileage was 122,000. Tf.

Tl- the contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that upon inspection of the vehicle, he had discovered corrosion underneath the frame of the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to two independent mechanics who informed him that they could not repair the matter. The contact spoke with the manufacturer who informed him that the prior owner declined to have the corrosion repaired on the vehicle. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was 141,000. Jo.

Frame is rusty beyond usage. As I accelerate the bed of the truck flexes so I can see it in the rearview mirror.

2004 Toyota Tacoma frame rusted through, hole you can put hand through. Toyota never issued recall, claims corrosion campaign was over. I never received any notice, I am the original owner. Toyota says I am on my own for replacement. Found issue at my brother's had to leave truck unsafe to drive. Will add photos after I get back to vehicle.

2004 Toyota Tacoma, took truck in to be painted was informed that there are multiple baseball size holes in the frame and the leaf spring mounts are rusted and leaf springs are about to pop off. I have called Toyota corp, and was told because truck was not sprayed they will not honor the frame. I recently acquired this vehicle and was not aware of the recall that had been issued on this truck. Toyota at this point is refusing to replace or repair the frame even though this truck originated and remained in a cold climate state for most of its existence. Please advise if there are any options available to have Toyota honor this vehicle. Thank yo u.

Took truck in for inspection and the frame is deteriorating to the point the bed is becoming detached from the frame and separating from the cab. The suspension is coming loose from the mounts. This is not the only one the mechanic has seen with deterioration. These trucks are not safe to drive!!.

I recently purchased this 2004 Toyota Tacoma and took it in for an inspection of the frame for undercoating. The body shop noted severe corrosion of the frame with suspension parts that are also full of corrosion. I was told this vehicle was not safe to drive due to this rust issue. I was told if this vehicle was involved in an accident there would be serious injury or death because of this rust/corrosion. I need the manufacturer to take care of this for some reason this vehicle's frame was not recalled but the body shop stated this should have had a safety recall on this frame due to the amount of rust that is noted under the vehicle on the frame and suspension parts.

The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 mph, the passenger’s side axle fractured and the wheel detached. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who replaced the ball joints. The local dealer was not contacted. On another occasion, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver’s side axle fractured and the wheel detached. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who replaced the ball joints however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA campaign number: 05v225000 (suspension). The manufacturer was contacted but provided no assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 190,000.

Tl- the contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while the vehicle was taken for serviced at an independent mechanic and informed the contact that chassis framed was corroded through and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to ira Toyota of danvers dealer, located at 99 andover st, danvers, MA 01923, (978) 739-8300, where an anti-corrosion spray was applied to the framed. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to ira Toyota of danvers dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired of the corrosion failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 66,000. Aw.

The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tacoma. The contact had taken the vehicle to kolosso Toyota (3000 w wisconsin Ave, appleton, WI 54914) to have his exhaust replaced. While there, he was informed that the entire sub frame was corroded with several cracks and holes had formed around both front leaf springs. The mechanic informed him that the vehicle was unsafe to drive due to the failure. Prior to the failure, the contact took the vehicle to another local dealer where the vehicle was inspected under NHTSA campaign number: 05v225000 (suspension). The contact was informed that a special coating was sprayed onto the sub frame to prevent corrosion; however, the recall remedy failed to prevent the corrosion. The manufacturer was contacted but provided no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 51,641.

Tamara recall, my 2004 Toyota Tacoma 4 wheel drive chassis has broken on me twice sense I bought the truck from a used dealership, and the chassis is also cracked again on my back drivers side, when I bought the truck I wasn't told that the chassis was rusted and they had covered it up. I need to know if it's still under warranty to get it replaced or what I need to do, my odometer is showing only 118686 on it right now. I'm concerned if I were to be in a wreck that there would be a worse outcome verses the chassis not being rusted. When the chassis broke on the passenger side both times I was driving, the exhaust has broken off as well because of rust. Now the truck squeaks really bad and my spare tire is about to break off as well I believe. I would really appreciate it if I could get it fixed. I'm not sure how much of the chassis is rusted or how bad it us due to them covering it up. Both times the chassis has broken have been when on a city street I haven't done an insurance claim on it either, the second time it broke I was also braking the truck. I don't know the number of the recall. I bought the truck in March and all this happened in may and June and I'm afraid it's gonna happen again if it's not replaced and due to me making payments on it and it being my daily driver I don't know what else to due sense I cannot sale it. I didn't know about the recall until September, I seen something about it on facebook and just started looking into it to see if there was any possibility of getting it fixed or replaced. The bed has also been replaced before I bought it, but I'm not sure why. Thank you for reading this and I hope to hear something soon about my truck. Any kind of options available would be very helpful, because I do not trust this truck. It is very unsafe. I would not recommend anyone else to drive my truck because it is so untrustworthy. Thank you again.

Takata recall frame is rusted.

Purchased 04 Tacoma double cab 4x4 onlynto later find frame rot by the shocks and wheels. I didn't see this initially upon inspection. I thought there was only surface rust until I had the truck on a lift for inspection and was advised of perforations. Needless to say it won't pass inspection. Did some research and found that Toyota's class action settlement only included 05-10 Tacoma�s. Also found that there may have been a warranty extension but according to the dealer, that expired. Toyota won't do anything for me so now it's up to me to repair the frame, if it's even repairable. How could Toyota put out a product and not stand by it, or at least cover the frame replacement? Toyota really needs to cover all vehicles with this problem regardless of age of vehicle and this should never expire. I understand that the cost of a new frame is about $5000, and with labor, runs up to about $15k. Toyota needs another class action suit filed against them ASAP!!!.

Tl-the contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tacoma. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 12v542000 (tires). The vehicle was taken to nourse Toyota located at 423 n bridge st, chillicothe, OH 45601 where diagnosed that the frame was corroded and would crumble if the recall was completed. The dealer informed the contact that they did not want to be responsible for any damages to vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the issue and opened case 1803261619 but no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 133,000. Ap.

Purchased 2004 Tacoma in 2016. Dealership of purchase said vehicle was not affected by frame recall and did not inform me that it was under warranty for frame related issues. Since purchasing vehicle I've encountered countless frame related issues and have put thousands into frame related repairs. I contacted Toyota in 2018 on several occasions to ask about frame warranty. Toyota said vehicle was not covered. Did not look up VIN or any other information related to vehicle. I contacted Toyota again this year to see if there's anything that can be done as frame issues were becoming significant and beyond my financial means to keep fixing. Toyota notified me at this time that the vehicle had in fact been under warranty but that now the warranty had expired 6 months prior (which was within the timeframe that I had initially contacted Toyota). Toyota told me that frame had been undercoated with corrosion resistance treatment in 2010 and warranty was good for 10 years (until 2020). Because dealership of purchase failed to comply with a warranty letter and Toyota also failed to notify me as I was not the original owner, I was not aware that I could have had the frame fixed. Which I would have if I had known. Now because of no fault of my own, the warranty window has closed and Toyota is not willing to rectify the situation. I still owe over $3k on a vehicle I paid over $11k for and have put $4k-$8k into for repairs. Frame is rotting faster than I can fix it and is now unsafe to drive and ineligible for trade-in or sale because the vehicle is essentially worthless at this point. Frame bolts are now rotted, tailpipe and exhaust fell off just this morning due to corrosion, suspension is corroded, brackets are rotting off frame, flakes of corroded metal are in piles beneath vehicle- and these are just the most recent issues.

Truck is unfit to drive due to rusted out frame. Please help with recall on Toyota Tacoma trucks. Thanks, tom brooks.

Took my 04 Tacoma to get inspected at Toyota the tech sais the vehicle is unsafe . The rust / rotted condition of the frame is excessive and beyond repair . Toyota does not want to take responsibility for this problem. They told me that they cant do anything about this .

The contact owned a 2004 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced severe corrosion on the frame. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the frame needed to be coated with an anti-corrosive adhesive. The vehicle was involved in a crash while being operated at 2 mph. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a salvage yard and deemed destroyed. The vehicle was repaired. Upon inspection, it was noticed that there were holes in the frame. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to it having a rebuilt title. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. There were no injuries. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

The frame of the Tacoma is severely rusted. Rust easily falls off the frame of the truck. Tacoma models after 2005 received recall notifications and fixes from Toyota, but the 2004 models have not received any notice even though they exhibit more frame rot and rusting.

I bought my Toyota truck in may 2016. I had the truck serviced at a local shop. The service manager stated the truck had a lot of rust noted on the frame and other parts underneath the truck. I took the truck to my local Toyota dealer to have the spare tire hangar recall taken care of. The service manager told me they could not service the truck because of the extensive rust noted. He stated "if you were my family member I would not let you drive it" because the frame and other parts were very rusty. The truck has been parked ever since unable to drive due to safety concerns that the frame will collapse. Toyota corporate will not agree to fix the truck. They state the truck frame rust replacement offer has long passed.

The lower ball-joint on the drivers front failed while driving (approx 20mph on a straight, smooth residential road (fortunately unloaded truck and at low speeds) sending the wheel sideways and slamming the suspension arm into the ground, where I skidded for about 40-50 feet. There is a recall in effect for this problem, year, make, model, mileage range, but only the 4 wheel drive models and 4 runners. It needs to be extended to the 2 wheel drive models as well. I had very little indication that something was wrong. It started feeling odd, like the alignment was off, and I was driving about a quarter of a mile to safely park it until it could be looked at, when it suddenly failed.

There is frame rot on the vehicle weakening the frame and suspension components. The worst area of rot is on the drivers side of the vehicle where the rear leaf spring attaches to the frame. This area also has the gas tank and fuel lines and rear braking lines. I was never notified of a recall. Upon discovery of this hazard I notified the dealer and was told my vehicles recall had ended. I also notified Toyota corporate and was told there is nothing they can do. Toyota Tacomas have had frame rot issues with recalls that have affected the rear brakes fuel lines and tank. I feel it is unfair of Toyota to admit an ongoing problem and replace frames on trucks with this issue, yet deny me because I was not made aware of it. Having a window of time on a recall that is a huge issue is not fair. Now I have an unsafe vehicle, that I am afraid to put my children in, and no where to turn.

Tl-the contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an dealer, and the mechanic noticed that the leaf spring fractured because the frame was corroded. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000. Mf.

The owner found a recall on 2004 Toyota Tacomas on the internet. This recall specified that there was a manufacturing defect in the formulation of the undercoating. This manufacturing defect resulted in the rusting of the suspension, and tire plate. Upon inspection of the vehicle by a Toyota dealer, it was found that the a-frame is rusted through, the leaf springs are failing and are bowed in the opposite direction, gas tank mounts are rusted and the under body of the gas tank housing is rusting through. Toyota deemed the vehicle unsafe but refused to do anything because the recall had expired. The owner never received a notice by mail during the recall period. If the owner would have received the recall notice he would have brought the vehicle in for inspection and repair. This vehicle has low mileage and if it were not for these manufacturing defects, could be driven for another 10 years. Contact with any common road hazard such as a bump or pot hole could cause the bow springs to fail, and there is a possibility of gas tank rupture, explosion and death.

The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the rear and front passenger spring chassis were corroded. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the spring chassis needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 99,370.